Links to files that my be Helpful with Asbestos All files are in PDF format
Safe Removal Code of Practice (pdf file)
Occupational Safety and Health Act
Management Code
Asbestos Ban
Bunbury and Asbestos
Do you need a Demolition Licence ???
http://www.safetyline.wa.gov.au Type "asbestos" into the search box
Assessing the Risk Asbestos types
Asbestos is the collective term given to a group of naturally occurring fibrous or "asbestiform" varieties of a number of silicate minerals. Asbestos types occur within two groups of minerals: the serpentine minerals and the amphibole minerals.
Chrysotile (white asbestos), which accounts for approximately 95% of the world production of asbestos, is the only member of the serpentine group of minerals.
Crocidolite (blue asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite are all members of the amphibole group.
Of the six types of asbestos, only chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite and to a lesser extent anthophyllite are mined for commercial use. Tremolite and actinolite have not been mined commercially although can be found as impurities in other commercially available mineral products
Hazard: Any situation with a potential for harm to life, health or property
Risk: the probability that a hazard may be realised and an individual may suffer an injury as a result of a hazard.
All asbestos containing materials are therefore considered to be a hazard, although the risk presented by the materials can vary significantly.
All forms of asbestos containing materials can be broadly divided into two groups; "friable" and "non-friable". Friability relates to the potential for the material to release asbestos fibres. A friable asbestos containing material is defined as "any material that contains asbestos that can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry." Friable asbestos containing materials include sprayed asbestos insulation, pipe and boiler insulation and non-bonded asbestos fabric. A non-friable asbestos containing material is defined as "being difficult to damage by hand". Non-friable asbestos containing materials include asbestos cement sheet products, vinyl floor tiles, electrical switchboards etc.
In general, friable asbestos containing material represent the greatest risk. The type and percentage of the asbestos, and the friability of an asbestos containing material can however vary substantially. As such there is also a large variation in the exposure risks associated with the presence of asbesotos containing materials within buildings and the handling/removal of various asbestos containing materials
Inhalation of asbestos fibre may lead to the following asbestos related diseases:
Mesothelioma: cancer of the pleura (lining of the lung cavity) or peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity).
Asbestosis: scarring of the lung tissue.
Lung Cancer: a cancer similar to that associated with tobacco smoking.